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Reviews For: Kenwood TMV71A

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TMV71A
Reviews: 106MSRP: 399.00
Description:
The advanced Kenwood TM-V71A dual bander provides sophisticated, high-powered performance on 2 meters and 440 MHz. Power levels are 5/10/50 watts on both bands. The large radio display clearly conveys the status of the radio and can be set to green or amber.
Product is in production
More Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Kenwood_TMV-71A
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001064.5
AB0RE Rating: 2008-05-31
Agree with previous review Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I'll piggy-back on KE6Ns review, saying I also appreciate the solid 50W output on VHF & UHF. The display is pleasant to look at, although I'd like a more detailed S-meter. The faceplate can be installed either way for either an up-firing or down-firing speaker. The cooling fan keeps the V71 nice and cool, even in Crossband Repeat mode. Although I haven't used the extensive EchoLink features that is a nice capability to have in the future in case I decide to go that route.

Programming is a cinch with the FREE software from Kenwood. A straight-through cable (no circuit or components needed) can be made with a DB9F and Mini-8 DIN connector. The pin-out is printed in the V71's manual. The Mini-8 DINs are somewhat difficult to find. Large part vendors such as Mouser carry them, as does hamgadgets.com. The programming software works well with no noticeable glitches.

Also extremely neat about the TM-V71A is the ability to Field-Upgrade the Firmware! This can be done with the cable mentioned above and a firmware upgrade program available from Kenwood, again at no cost. I upgraded my firmware from 1.00 to 2.11. The upgrade fixed a problem with a very high static noise super-imposed on the CW ID when in Crossband Repeat mode. It also added some additional functionality, such as a menu-adjustable microphone sensitivity (which was previously only adjustable in the software). The programming software will tell you what version of the firmware you have.

One final comment regarding Crossband Repeat. Most people who crossband repeat do not do it legally because of the identification requirements. Kenwood somewhat addressed this issue by making a CW-ID available when crossbanding (it can be turned off, too). But, as KE6N reports, the V71 IDs back and forth on the UHF side AND the VHF side. If you're using your UHF HT to crossband into a VHF repeater you will drive everybody listening to the VHF repeater absolutely BONKERS having your callsign sent every 10 minutes in CW. The ID is sent whether or not there is activity being crossbanded. And, as KE6N pointed out, the ID in this instance is not necessary on the VHF side as it would be taken care of when I identify on UHF and my callsign is cross-banded on VHF. If Kenwood made the crossband ID band-selectable (VHF / UHF / Both) this would make the V71 a great choice for crossbanding legally (assuming you also have a control operator present in case there are issues).

One final note, I thought a great way around the Crossband CW ID issue noted above would be to hook the ID-O-Matic kit from Ham Gadgets(.com) to the DATA Port of the V71, then set the DATA band to UHF (band B in my case) so the ID is only sent on UHF. BUT Kenwood, in their infinite wisdom, has the DATA port disabled when Crossband repeat is active!! That's a shame because there would other added functionalities in Crossband Repeat mode if the DATA port was not disabled (one could disable Crossband Repeat by sending a signal to the SQL line - the radio would not transmit as it would think there was another station transmitting).

HEY KENWOOD: HOW ABOUT ADDRESSING THE CROSSBAND REPEAT ID ISSUE IN THE NEXT FIRMWARE UPDATE!?!?

(The CW ID Band should be selectable and/or the DATA port should not be disabled while in Crossband Repeat mode.)
KE6N Rating: 2008-05-31
Very happy with this radio. I've got 3 of them! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've had this radio for about 7 months now. (Got another one for my wife and one for the house, too.) I really like the high power on both VHF and UHF. I also really like that I can use VHF and/or UHF on either side of the radio. And there's no way I'm going to run out of memory channels at 1000 of 'em, either!

I've got the voice chip option and separation kits on the two radios that we use mobile. I like being able to change channels from the mic and know where I am without having to take my eyes off the road to verify where I'm at. I also like that this radio allows me to cross band repeat when I'm out of HT range to my favorite repeater. I can hike around away from my car and know that I've still got communications when I'm way out in the bush.

Kenwood was thinking (somewhat) when they added the ability for the radio to ID while in cross band repeat mode but they goofed it up a little. If I'm cross band repeating using UHF on my HT and going out and receiving VHF on my car, the only transmitter that really needs to identify is my car on the UHF frequency it is transmitting back to my HT. There is no need to ID going out of 2m when retransmitting my signal from UHF to VHF because *I* identify my own transmissions. Kenwood thought it would be good to alternate the ID on VHF and UHF when in cross band repeat. They almost got it right. I was really hoping that Kenwood would address this oversite in a future firmware upgrade. If I'm listening to 2m repeater via cross band repeat on my UHF HT, there is really no need to transmit my ID on the 2m repeater I'm listening to when I'm not actively transmitting on it. IDing on the UHF frequency that is carrying the listened to 2m repeater traffic is most appropriate however, if it would only ID on the one band instead of alternating.

Other than that, the fact that I own 3 of these radios should give a clue that I really like it.
KJ4AXU Rating: 2008-04-29
Quality product! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Very pleased with my choice of the TM-V71A. Spent a lot of time choosing between models (Yaesu 8800 and 8900)and feel very confident I made the right choice for me. All of these models are great, but the Echolink features and the extra-wide receive capabilities on the high end of this unit really set it apart. I also like the 50 watts on both 2 meter and 440. I did purchase the data and control cables, and when I purchased the unit the ARRL Travel Plus CD was included - a great addition. If you're on the fence trying to decide, you won't be disappointed with the Kenwood.
M0NYW Rating: 2008-03-01
Very Nice Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have the E version. So far its great nice clear display, Easy to use buttons and menu. Love the N-type connector and front panel orientation and recording feature.

Just cant understand why you can change the colour of the backlight on the display from amber to green and on the mic its only orange.
I know its silly.
KB9QEC Rating: 2008-02-14
Kenwood does it again Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS RADIO A FEW DAYS BUT I LOVE IT . IF IT LASTS LIKE OTHER KENWOODS I HAVE HAD IT WILL BE A KEEPER . IF IT GIVES ME ANY TROUBLE I WILL GET BACK ON HERE AND LET EVERYBODY KNOW .

AFTER A FEW MINUTES IN THE SHACK GETTING TO KNOW IT AND PROGRAMMING ALL THE LOCAL REPEATERS INTO IT'S MEMORY , I WAS INSTALLING IT IN MY CAR . I HAVE A SMALL HONDA CIVIC AND THE TM-V71 IS SMALL ENOUGH THAT I DON'T HAVE TO USE THE DETACHABLE FRONT PANEL KIT . BUT IF YOU NEED TO MOUNT THE FRONT PANEL ON THE DASH YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN CABLE . KENWOOD USES A 4 CONDUCTOR WIRE WITH A 4 PIN MODULAR PLUG ON ONE END AND AN 8 PIN ON THE OTHER .

I USE THE CROSS BAND REPEAT AND REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTION AT WORK SO I DON'T MISS ANY LOCAL ACTION .

GREAT SO FAR !
AF6BV Rating: 2007-11-07
Strong basics Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I don't ordinarily write a review for a product I've owned for a short time, but the V71A has an outstanding feature that I haven't seen mentioned in most reviews.

I've owned several dual-band mobiles with "left" and "right" bands, which generally correspond to a "VHF" side and a "UHF" side (although V+V and U+U and even U+V are often supported in addition to the factory default V+U configuration for L+R).

I like to run V+V mode where I can operate or scan 2 meters on one side, while having the other side set to 146.520 or a local simplex frequency or an aircraft frequency, but regret losing the ability to scan and operate on 440 while doing this.

The TM-V71A's A and B side can both handle 2 meters and 440, so I can scan all U+V channels/frequencies on one side while monitoring a favorite simplex frequency on the other. Using the band link function and segregating UHF and VHF repeaters in different "banks", you can simulate VHF-only or UHF-only scan.

At first I thought this was odd, but I've quickly come to appreciate how useful it is not to have the band limitations you'd ordinarily have with V+V or U+U operation.

The display is very readable, but as typical of stuffing two independent displays in one compact radio, the letters and numbers aren't as large as typical of single-banders. If poor eyesight is an issue you might want to see the display for yourself to judge.

Programming from the front panel is, to me, highly intuitive and far less confusing than most rigs I've used, at least for setting up repeaters.

Programming software isn't great, but it's adequate and functional. One quirk is that microphone gain is software-controllable at low, medium, and high -- but only from the control program. There's no menu. HOPEFULLY, Kenwood will add this to the menu in a future firmware upgrade, because I found the audio sounded a lot better with it set to "high" instead of the factory default Medium.

I got low audio reports until I started close-miking the rig (1-2"). After changing the gain setting to High with the free MCP software, I now consistently get praiseworthy reports, so apparently Kenwood is following commercial radio practice and designing the mic to reject background noise by expecting close-miking. If you are soft-voiced, you may just as well buy the programming cable and boost the mic gain with the free software.

As for the MCP software: you get your money's worth anyway (it's free). It doesn't set offset direction automatically the way the radio does, and you have to remember to both enable tone and set it, because it's not smart enough to figure that setting the tone means you want to use it. Also, my version exceptioned whenever I tried to enter names.

However, it's worth having, if only to read to entire memory of the rig into a file in your PC, so you can upgrade the firmware or recover from a memory loss, in just a few minutes. So even though this program could use some work, it's still very useful as a way to backup your rig's contents and make minor editing changes.

It's also brick-solid. Has a real feeling of durability and high quality. I get the impression this rig will last 20 years.

If I run into any problems, I'll be sure to revisit and revise my score. So far, though, this rig has exceeded my expectations and is a worthy successor to my much-beloved old TM-V7A, which is living in semi-retirement as a shack radio. (The V7A display isn't great for mobile use; the V71A is. :)

I'd give it an A-, with minor points off for no menu access to mic gain, and a PC-based memory control program that has minor, but irritating, glitches.

K3ROJ Rating: 2007-10-23
Perfect Radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After reading the review article in QST, I called HRO in Delaware and had my radio the next day. Also ordered the PC connecting cables, extension kit and the voice module. Before reading the imstruction manual, I had it hooked up in my shack and working on the local repeater in 5 minutes. Then I dug into the instructions and "wow" a lot to learn but am waiting for the ARRL Travelplus to arrive and in the meantime downloaded the newer firmware from Kenwood. It is hard to imagine uploading 1000 frequencies into this radio. Not too interested in Echolink but will eventually try it. I did however, connect it to the computer for relaying CQ100 (an internet ham VOIP) and patched a friend who is in a verterans hospital to someone he knows on 2 metres in this area. It will make a fine mobile rig in my pickup truck and since we travel to upper Ontario each year to fish, it will be used often along the way. The only thing I somewhat dislike is the RJ-45 microphone connector which has given me problems in other radios but will be using an extension cable with it since it will be under the seat. I like the way it can transmit say on the 144 band and still receive great on the 440 band using one dual band antenna. Was told my audio sounded perfect, better than my IC-910H. Can't beat the price for all the things it can do.
HB9OAY Rating: 2007-10-14
Great for the value. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This rig is NOT a TM-D700 and hasn't the APRS nor the big dot-matrix display, but it cost much less and does its job very well.

Due to the regular display size (which is easier to install), the user interface (especially the Menu access) needs a little more time to learn, but you really have all you can expect from a regular dual bander (Data and PC ports, 1000 Memory channels, 50W + 50W, X-band rpt, remote control and the Echolink interface).
The 5 PM configuration modes work fine and both Rx/Tx are good quality.

For 399$ you can't ask more ;o)

Warmly recommended !

Mauro - HB9OAY
KD8BIW Rating: 2007-07-30
Great Rig! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've had this radio for about 4 months now and it has been a great performer. The 50W on V&U are great and come in handy. I love having the WX alert function, although I wish it had SAME. The receiver is super and intermod in not a problem. I had the rig in my truck and was parked at a 5K transmitter site and had no problems. Cross band repeat works flawlessly and is fast and easy to set up. The mic is sturdy and the perfect size for me, which seems hard to find nowadays. I'm in public safety so I'm used to a big mic like that. I love the radio and would recomended it to anyone. I will be getting another soon! 73s and happy DX'ing.
KC2GMH Rating: 2007-07-01
Nice Transceiver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought it to replace my trusty V7A that had a typically bad display. After realizing Kenwood simplified the programming everything is fine. Both modes of x-banding work great, weather alert worked when a t'storm warning was issued. It and the MCP program just have a bit of a learning curve. I'd buy another one if I decide to "need" another dual-bander.